The Courage to Leap: Facing the Fear, Finding the Puffins

We all have our fears, those hidden anxieties that keep us tethered to the shore, even when our hearts are pulling us out toward the horizon.

For as long as I can remember, mine has been the water. A childhood scare while paddling left me with a deep-seated distrust of the sea. I’ve always been the person who avoids the boat, worries about the sway, and stays safely on dry land.

But I also have a deep, enduring love for birds. When I heard about the Saltee Islands, a sanctuary where you can see puffins up close, my curiosity went to war with my fear. The logistical reality of the trip was a nightmare for a nervous traveler: a small boat, a lifejacket transfer, wading through seaweed-strewn water to reach dry land.

We booked it, then I cancelled it in my mind a dozen times. We had two weather cancellations, which brought a strange mix of relief and crushing disappointment. Then, a miracle: two seats opened up for the very morning of my Wexford exhibition opening.

I barely slept. I hardly ate. On the drive to the harbour, I was a nervous wreck. But sometimes, the pull of what we love is stronger than the weight of what we fear.

The Lesson in the Splashes: Stepping onto that boat, I braced myself for panic. But something shifted. As we bumped over the waves, I found myself holding on tight, laughing as we got splashed, and actually… enjoying it. The transfer to the dinghy and the walk through the water were nerve-wracking, yes, but they were also the threshold I had to cross to get to the magic.

And then, the reward: seeing those puffins, watching their antics, and capturing them on camera. It was a privilege, and without a doubt, one of the best experiences of my life.

Why We Need to Get on the Boat: That day taught me that fear is often just a storyteller. It tells us we aren't safe, or that we won't handle the bumps, or that the path is too steep. But fear doesn't know the end of the story.

If I had let my fear dictate my choices, I would have stayed on the shore. I would have missed the exhilaration of the spray on my face and the sight of those beautiful, comical birds. I would have been safe, but I wouldn't have been alive to the moment in the same way.

Sometimes, you have to be willing to be a "nervous wreck" for a little while to get to the place where your heart really wants to be.

I love to include birds in my art, so hopefully some of the puffins will find their way in soon.

This June, I’m inviting you to look at your own "boat." What is the thing you’ve been avoiding because the fear feels too big? Perhaps it’s time to book the ticket, take the leap, and trust that the view on the other side is worth the wobbliness of the journey.